Classic genre - klarodendrum: care at home

"What a delight, well, exactly, the Chinese lanterns!" - I thought, admiring the white bracts of the flowers of the clerodendrum that had not yet opened, which could be seen from the window of a pharmacy located next to the house. Appeared later from the white boxes bright red tabs of flowers gave this luxurious vine a view even more solemn and festive. Well, what a fine fellow this clerodendrum! Care at home after him is not so complicated. About him and talk.

And first get acquainted

Hailing from Africa and South Asia, the clerodendrum (volkameria) is one of the oldest domesticated plants. Even during the Roman Empire, this flower was considered a sacred patron of the weaker sex. He was raised to win the condescension and favor of the goddess Venus. Currently, there are more than 100 different species of this powerful vine, which can climb to a height of more than 4 meters. The most common specimen is Thomson's clerodendrum: it is his buds that resemble Chinese lanterns.

Clerodendrum of the Philippines is distinguished by its rose-colored cream flowers, collected in large caps of inflorescences, sometimes reaching a size of 20 cm. Against the background of velvety green heart-shaped leaves, these inflorescences look like holiday bouquets. Despite the name, this miracle of nature grows on the fringes of forests in Japan and China. Its inflorescences emit a strong enough, like a jasmine, fragrance. Unlike the Thorsohn's clerodendrum, blooming in April-May, the Philippine can bloom throughout the spring-summer season with little breaks. Its bracts do not resemble Chinese lanterns. Rose-burgundy colors, they become invisible after the flower dissolves.

Another version of this creeper, worthy of attention because of its tender flowers, is the clerodendrum of Wollich. For the white, flowing from the bracts of six-petalled flowers with long, eyelash-like innocent girl stamens, this handsome man was nicknamed "a veiled veil". Its inflorescences resemble a bouquet of white lilac or a bird cherry brush. The birthplace of this flower is the Himalayas. It can be an ampous shrub that looks chic in a hanging pot. Unlike the two previous varieties, the leaves of this plant are long glossy and wavy, algal- like kelp. The tart aroma of the flowers of this handsome man will not bother with his presence, since he is weak enough.

"Vredina" or not?

The simplest in care (and therefore the most common) is Thomson's klarodendrum, along with the Filipino is a deciduous liana. The main feature of care for these two varieties is the period of rest in the winter months. At this time, the plant can be shaped by trimming. Loss on the leaves during the winter period, clerodendrum care at home requires appropriate. Usually grown at a temperature of 18-25 degrees in winter, this liana needs a reduction in temperature to 13-16 and in reduction of watering. If this rule is not observed, your handsome man will not blossom. Claudhodendrum Wollicha is not a deciduous liana, so it does not need a winter rest period.

Watering and top dressing

For all clerodendrums, the irrigation regime is very important, since all plants of this species are very fond of drinking. When the earth's coma dries out, the leaves quickly fade and fall off. As for the lighting of a plant such as a clerodendrum, home care after it implies the absence of direct sunlight (location - on the northern window). This shade-tolerant lover of moisture can not tolerate direct sun, in which its leaves turn yellow and fall off.

Claudodendrum Wollich needs year-round monthly top dressing with iron preparations, and also containing the whole complex of other minerals. To feed two other species is recommended 2 times during the growing season. In winter, feeding should be stopped - at this time, resting clerodendrum. Care at home for this plant is simple, with the observance of the rules, the main ones of which are described in this article.